On Friday, while out walking on our trail, I was thrilled to find moose tracks heading from the river uphill across our property, most likely towards wooded ridges and deep ravines to the west of us.

It appeared to be solitary, possibly a male yearling rejected by its mother, which cows do prior to calving in spring. However, in measuring its footprint and gait, it could be a more mature individual. The hoof print was approximately 3.5″ wide x 8″ long, including two rear-facing dewclaws. The gait in the woods was about 30″ apart, but in an open field, I measured 42″. Now, just imagine how tall that animal was (they can grow to 5-7′ at the shoulder)!

Nocturnal by nature, moose are rarely seen here, though I’ve heard there are some that live in a secluded valley a few miles away. I’ve only seen a few tracks in mud or snow, and have had three sightings total in 35 years, once with a mother and calf together. Given their size (males can weigh 1,200-1,800 lbs., females 800-1,300 lbs.) and their somewhat ornery nature, it is probably just as well!